Conduct a thorough inspection before the season’s first cold snap as part of your winter preparation.

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Give your home a once-over and tend to winter preparation tasks and repairs before the year’s first frost. “Getting the exterior of the home ready for the cold winds, snow and ice is critical for keeping Old Man Winter out and keeping it warm and toasty inside,” says Reggie Marston, president of Residential Equity Management Home Inspections in Springfield, VA. By being proactive, you’ll lower your energy bills, increase the efficiency and lifespan of your home’s components, and make your property safer.

Windows and Doors

Check all the weatherstripping around windows and doorframes for leaks to prevent heat loss. Replace weatherstripping, if necessary.

Ensure rain or snow drains away from the house to avoid foundation problems. The dirt grade — around the exterior of your home — should slope away from the house. Add extra dirt to low areas, as necessary.

Clean and dry patio furniture. Cover with a heavy tarp or store inside a shed or garage to protect it from the elements.

Clean soil from planters. Bring pots made of clay or other fragile materials indoors. Because terra cotta pots can swell and crack, lay them on their sides in a wood carton.

Dig up flower bulbs, brush off soil, and label. Store bulbs in a bag or box with peat moss in a cool, dry place for spring replanting.

Remove any attached hoses and store them away for the winter to prevent cracks, preserve their shapes, and prolong their life. Wrap outside faucets with covers to prevent water damage.

Shut off exterior faucets. Drain water from outdoor pipes, valves, and sprinkler heads to protect against pipe bursts.

Inspect decks for splintering, decay, or insect damage and treat, if needed, to prevent further deterioration over the winter.

Clean leaves, dirt, and pine needles between the boards of wooden decks to thwart mold and mildew growth.

Inspect outdoor lighting around the property. Good illumination will help minimize the chance of accidents on icy walkways at night.

Check handrails on exterior stairs to make sure they’re well secured.

Tools and Machinery

Bring all seasonal tools inside and spray them with a coating of lightweight oil to prevent rust.

Move your snow blower and shovels to the front of the garage or shed for easy access.

Prepare the snow blower for the first snowfall by changing the oil and replacing the spark plug.

Sharpen ice chopper and inspect snow shovels to make sure they’re ready for another season of work.

Make sure you have an ample supply of ice melt or sand on hand for steps, walkways, and the driveway.

Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

Inspect the firebox and flue system to ensure that they’re clean of any soot or creosote and that there aren’t any cracks or voids that could cause a fire hazard.

Check fireplace for drafts. If it’s cold despite the damper being closed, the damper itself may be warped, worn, or rusted. Consider installing a Chimney Balloon into the flue to air seal the area tightly.

Clean or replace the air filter in your furnace for maximum efficiency and improved indoor air quality.

Clean your whole house humidifier and replace the evaporator pad.

Bleed valves on any hot-water radiators to increase heating efficiency by releasing air that may be trapped inside.

Check that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.

Remove air conditioners from windows or cover them with insulated liners, to prevent drafts.

If you have an older thermostat, replace it with a programmable unit to save on heating costs.